So, my husband & I took a chance & tried to hit the Ram Sunday evening for dinner.  We were hoping to miss the crowd & still get a little of the fun of eating at the Ram.

There was a note on the front door that they would be closing at 8, but we didn't really worry as we got there about 7.

Unfortunately, as we walked in, the hostess stopped us & told us that they were seating people anymore & that the kitchen was closed.  So we had to go look elsewhere for dinner.

My gripe is that the sign on the door should have been updated once the kitchen closed.  I understand that the Ram gets slammed over GenCon & I'm not surprised that they ran out of supplies, or whatever, but once the kitchen closes, I don't think the sign on the door should imply that you're open till 8.

Or am I being to picky?

The RAM was slammed like never before this year, and I understand they had a new staff.

I don't think people realize that many of the RAM Waiters and Waitresses took extra shifts to accomodate us, and they knew every second they'd be jumping.

It did dishearten me to see a lot of folks yelling at the hostess about their long wait times.

The problem is, frankly, is that a lot of gamers pull out their games when they are finished eating. This ties up the table for a lot longer. I suspect THAT had a lot more to do with tables not being available for hour-long stretches than anything else.

ValentineW:

Or am I being to picky?

AvatarArt:

(And as a side note, I'd think best RAM days would be Weds or Sun, and not during the actual Con.  Anyone else con-quer?)

Our group from Nascrag usually meets there for our pre-Con dinner on Wednesday night.  It was packed both this year and last!

This was our first year for NOT eating at the Ram. We passed by a few times, but the line was outrageous. Did pick up the preorder, but we budget 2 hour eat times, not 4 hour. Not blaming the Ram folks, it's cool they're so popular, just that that amount of time isn't for us.

Yelling at the hostess is definitely uncool.

We were there on Saturday and I asked about the Mile High Mud Pie.  They had a few but were practically out of a lot of items.  Gen Con and the Lucas Oil opening really took it's toll. 

Hawkwinter and I ate at the Ram on Monday after Gen Con 2007, prior to the Bears beating the colts in preseason, and quite a few sports fans attend the place as well.  They were probably just as suprised as we were to see the Ram get hit that hard.

I'm sorry that some of y'all had problems at the RAM.  Bummer.  Our experiences couldn't have been better.   

We went to the RAM every day (Wed-Sun).  We didn't have a single problem and never waited more than 5 minutes.  I'm sure part of it was luck, but we were willing to sit outside.  It worked out well since we ran into some old friends who felt the need to buy us beers until 4 am - Sweet! 

Brady was our server twice and he was FABULOUS!   We'll be keeping him in our thoughts since he may get shipped to Iraq before the next Con. 

swinetrekkie:

We went to the RAM every day (Wed-Sun).  We didn't have a single problem and never waited more than 5 minutes.

swinetrekkie:

we were willing to sit outside

 Isn't outside harder to get?  Ironically my wife and I just discussed this topic and we both thought that everyone would choose eating outside over eating inside (unless it's 90 out or raining of course)

I didn't know the Ram had outside tables. Are they out back?? I must have totally missed them.

FaePooka:

I didn't know the Ram had outside tables. Are they out back?? I must have totally missed them.

They are right by the door, you really can't miss em! :)

I hate to be a pest about this guys, but about the gaming issue. I remember coming in Friday Night and seeing a large group playing RISK at a table. RISK takes a long time to play... for every hour they were there, figure that Dave lost the price of six potential tickets. I think folks tend to forget that tying up a table for an extended time ends up costing the restaurant money in lost sales.

Folks may recall that in 2005, when scouting for the first Wednesday Gaming Session, I knocked heads with the Slippery Noodle folks. When I explained about Wednesday Gaming, the co-owner curtly told me she didn't want gamers occupying her restaurant because they tie up tables with games, which robs the restaurant of money. I was really annoyed and insulted by that presumption. Well, to be honest, after this year, I am beginning to see she had a point, as coldly pragmatic as it was.

Just keep in mind that if we become a burden instead of a boon then we may find our welcome fraying quickly.

/soapbox

FaePooka:

I didn't know the Ram had outside tables. Are they out back?? I must have totally missed them.

The tables are right out front :)

For what it's worth, we ate at the RAM for lunch on Wednesday, 1am on Friday morning, and 1am on Sat morning. We always sat in the bar area which is "find your own spot" so there was no waiting -- we could always find a table.

We ate at the RAM twice during GenCon. Once on Tuesday (to avoid the crowds), and on Saturday. On Tuesday,we had no wait. However, we were told none of the GenCon stuff was ready for purchase (shirts or growlers or beer.) Expressed disappointment. Talked with IndyDave about some issues, like not being able to get in during the con. He said they were working to accomodate more people by not allowing gaming during the evening hours to seat more people. Also, about a miscommuncation here on the boards (which we cleared up.)

On Wednesday stopped to get my Drizzt growlers and T-shirts we had preordered and I was in and out in about 3 minutes (as they had the preorders ready.)

On Saturday, wound up waiting about 45 minutes (which wasn't too bad, considering we had tried on Thursday and were told an hour and a half wait). Lucked out and got seated right outside the back room where the 20th Birthday Party for Drizzt was being held. IndyDave told us we would have first crack at getting in the room because we were already in the restaurant. Got a free Drizzt growler autographed by R.A. Salvatore who was on hand for the festivities. Also, my daughter (who turned 10 on Tuesday) got a free birthday dessert because she did not get one on Tuesday (IndyDave remebered us, which is quite amazing considering how many people go to the RAM during GenCon.) It was explained to us that the Mile-High Mud Pies were not holding together when taken out of the freezer and that's why they weren's serving any Saturday.

The staff and IndyDave were always pleasant and respectful during my visits (YMMV). 

The crowd was not just GenCon people, but also the fans who came to Lucas Oil Stadium. I'm sure the staff was frazzled enough without being yelled at. I understand the lines and waiting times that go with it. It would be disappointing to have to skip the RAM, but it is not something I could not live without.

Mike B:

FaePooka:

I didn't know the Ram had outside tables. Are they out back?? I must have totally missed them.

They are right by the door, you really can't miss em! :)

 

Crap....well in my defence I am recalling blurry memories from 07 since I wasn't there this year.  *headdesk*

Mike B:

I hate to be a pest about this guys, but about the gaming issue. I remember coming in Friday Night and seeing a large group playing RISK at a table. RISK takes a long time to play... for every hour they were there, figure that Dave lost the price of six potential tickets. I think folks tend to forget that tying up a table for an extended time ends up costing the restaurant money in lost sales.

Did anyone get "breakfast"? I thought the RAM was supposed to open up at 9am for it, but we tried on Friday and it was closed still. We ended up waiting 30mins for a bagel. Line was out the door at the bagel place.

We went for dinner later and ask our server about breakfast. He didn't know about it and didn't think they were opening any earlier this year. 

AvatarArt:

Does the Ram offer take out?  Another idea is to see about delivery- have the Ram food sent to people gaming at the ICC or some other place that is more suitable to play.  Dave can have quicker table turn over & the geeks get to play while they eat.  Win-win. 

That's a good idea. I'm actually surprised they allow gaming at the table when there's any kind of a wait. Post-dinner campers are a reality in the restaurant, but I would have thought restaurants would try and frown upon that kind of thing when there's any kind of wait.  

Mike B:

I hate to be a pest about this guys, but about the gaming issue. I remember coming in Friday Night and seeing a large group playing RISK at a table. RISK takes a long time to play... for every hour they were there, figure that Dave lost the price of six potential tickets. I think folks tend to forget that tying up a table for an extended time ends up costing the restaurant money in lost sales.

Folks may recall that in 2005, when scouting for the first Wednesday Gaming Session, I knocked heads with the Slippery Noodle folks. When I explained about Wednesday Gaming, the co-owner curtly told me she didn't want gamers occupying her restaurant because they tie up tables with games, which robs the restaurant of money. I was really annoyed and insulted by that presumption. Well, to be honest, after this year, I am beginning to see she had a point, as coldly pragmatic as it was.

Just keep in mind that if we become a burden instead of a boon then we may find our welcome fraying quickly.

/soapbox

Yeah, it is SO NOT COOL to tie up any restaurant's resources, such as tables and wait staff, by playing, well, ANY game when there are other people waiting to be served.

We gamers need to remember we are not the only people around, and if we want to continue to have places such as the RAM go out of their way for us, we need to remember they have other customers as well.

Ah, well, I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir here.  The people who hang out on these forums are no doubt the kind of gamers who already behave in the way consistent with what I'm trying to recommend here.

AvatarArt:

swinetrekkie:

We went to the RAM every day (Wed-Sun).  We didn't have a single problem and never waited more than 5 minutes.

When abouts did you go there?  Maybe its a timing thing.

We went Thursday at about 4:00 pm and there was no wait whatsoever, for a table. So I think if you can get there pre-dealers hall closing and before lunch/dinner rush or right after, you'll get a table without a wait. 

I enjoy my anniversary  dinner at the Ram. We were going to go to Buca's but as I told the husband on the walk over to the Ram, that it just made more sense, neither of us had lunch and I really didn't feel like dealing with the buca crowds or the noise that day. As he told me several times that night afterward we made the right call because not only did we get my most fave waiter Rich to help us, but he got to try the salmon which was bufflo flavored I think and he said it was just perfect. So yeah, I'm rambling about it. But I think it's all in the timing wheather you have to wait or not there.

ValentineW:

So, my husband & I took a chance & tried to hit the Ram Sunday evening for dinner.  We were hoping to miss the crowd & still get a little of the fun of eating at the Ram.

There was a note on the front door that they would be closing at 8, but we didn't really worry as we got there about 7.

Unfortunately, as we walked in, the hostess stopped us & told us that they were seating people anymore & that the kitchen was closed.  So we had to go look elsewhere for dinner.

I was actually there when this happened (I was there with my wife, standing in front of the Growler and T-Shirt Cases, guy in the red shirt) We got there just a bit before 7 and were waiting to be seated. (It was @ an hour wait)

 The wait time was such that if you got there at 7pm, you probally wouldn't be seated until a bit after 8pm. (After they stopped servering)

 Both my wife and I thought they should have updated that sign too, but I do understand why they had to turn people away.

 By this time, They had run out of many things (ONe of their beers, french fries, and a few other things) and had suffered a Freezer unit failure.

 Not sure if that helps explain why. Still not perfect, but I had the feeling that this was the busiest GenCon ever for the Ram, as it combined with the Lukoil stadium opening.

 Was your husband the Guy with the D&D logo shirt that walked in?